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The Friendship/729 Battle II rubber is a standout in the Chinese rubber market, particularly praised for its exceptional spin and control characteristics, making it a perfect choice for offensive players. With a speed rating of 11, spin rating of 12, and control rating of 12, Battle II is engineered to offer players the tools necessary for aggressive play. The rubber’s tackiness, rated at 8.7, contributes to its ability to generate significant spin, especially when serving or looping against backspin. This quality is particularly advantageous for players who rely on heavy topspins and loop kills, allowing for consistent and robust shots.
In terms of weight, Battle II is classified as medium, weighing in at 5.9, which makes it surprisingly light given its sponge hardness of 8. This combination facilitates quicker swings and greater maneuverability, enhancing the gameplay experience. Players have noted that despite its hardness, the rubber does not feel burdensome on the racket, allowing for extended play without fatigue.
Durability is another strong point, with an impressive durability rating of 8.2. Users appreciate that even after consistent use, the rubber maintains its tackiness and performance, making it a reliable choice for those seeking long-lasting equipment without frequent replacements.
For those considering alternatives, the Battle II is often compared favorably to rubbers like the DHS Hurricane 3 and various tensor rubbers, especially in the context of adapting to the newer plastic ball era. Its budget-friendly price point enhances its appeal, with many players noting it offers much of the performance found in higher-end options. Overall, Friendship/729 Battle II is highly recommended for ambitious offensive players looking for a blend of control, spin, and durability at an accessible price.
I have been using 4-5 sheets of H47 rubber for the past 1.5 years, and I have tried boosting it with Rev3 Extreme Booster. Boosting the rubber increases the throw angle and makes the sponge livelier, which is beneficial for backhand shots.
I was interested in playing with tensor rubbers like MX-S because they are faster on small wrist movements, counters, and blocks. However, I had difficulty countering spinny opening loops when I was late. The B2 rubber excels in this area, allowing for effective counter looping even against backspin. The Rakza Z EH rubber offers similar capabilities but with fewer gears. The B2 rubber produces insane loop kills against backspin and offers higher top speed than MX-S and Rakza Z EH, even when used with the Donic Appelgren Allplay blade. I currently use the B2 rubber unboosted, which results in a very low throw and trajectory. Consequently, more upward motion is required when playing against backspin.
After 1.5 years of use, all sheets of the B2 rubber maintain the same level of tackiness, indicating its durable topsheet. A 157x150 sheet weighs approximately 47g. My primary blades are the Waldner WC89 B2 and Fastarc C1.
This rubber is highly recommended compared to other Chinese hard sponges (such as Hurricane 3 Neo 40 degrees) if you have experience with both European and Chinese rubbers.
The sensation of where the ball bounces on your blade is significantly more pronounced than with Hurricane 40 degrees due to the slightly softer sponge. It’s not as bouncy as European rubbers, but it offers a versatile range of low and high power. This is ideal for controlling the point and varying the speed and pace to unsettle your opponent.
Serves are exceptional, as the catapult effect is not overwhelmingly high, while the spin remains significant. Applying one layer of baby oil or mineral oil on an outer layer ALC Butterfly blade is advised.
This version is the 39 degrees orange sponge that I used. I also tried the 40 degrees B2 blue sponge, but found it too fast and lacking in feel due to its hardness. I recently purchased the 39 B2 degree blue sponge in the hope of experiencing improved feel.
I started playing with this rubber over a year ago. Once I was used to it, I loved it so much. My first two sheets lasted a very long time and the tackiness lasted long too (bought in China). Now, shipping from China is more difficult, so I ordered new sheets in Germany.
I got 4 sheets (also with a blue sponge). However, none of them are tacky and they only pick up the ball for less than a second. My old sheets picked them up for 15-20 seconds. Without the tackiness, producing spin is significantly more difficult. This makes it hard for me to make a proper review. It’s like I have two completely different rubbers to review.
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